Chetwood Financial has appointed Alan Cleary to chair its mortgage advisory board, tempting the industry veteran out of retirement.
Cleary joins the digital bank ahead of its launch of buy-to-let lender Chetwood Financialand following the digital bank’s acquisition of CHL Mortgages for Intermediaries for an undisclosed fee last month.
Chetwood Financial has said that ModaMortgages, like CHL Mortgages for Intermediaries, will be a specialist BTL lender operating exclusively through intermediaries. ModaMortgages is expected to launch later this year.
The lender says Cleary “will provide guidance on the commercial strategy for both ModaMortgages and CHL Mortgages for Intermediaries as Chetwood Financial builds its presence and establishes itself as a leading name in the specialist lending market.
“He will advise the company on how to grow each part of the business, applying his vast experience of the mortgage market to ensure both propositions resonate with brokers.”
Running multiple lenders
Cleary has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, working as head of sales at BM Solutions, then as director of Halifax Intermediaries, before taking on the managing director position at Exact Mortgage Experts.
He co-founded Charter Court Financial Services in 2008, which combined with OneSavings Bank in 2019.
Following the merger, Cleary became the leader of the group’s mortgage brands – Precise Mortgages, Kent Reliance for Intermediaries, and InterBay Commercial – until his retirement in 2021.
Cleary says: “I wasn’t intending to come out of retirement, but this looks like a special opportunity.
“Running multiple lenders under one roof is a challenge I’m very familiar with, and I can’t wait to get involved and offer my experience as we look to scale both propositions in the intermediary mortgage market.”
Chetwood Financial founder and chief executive Andy Mielczarek adds: “Alan Cleary is one of the biggest names in the specialist lending sector.
“His experience in leading and scaling mortgage lenders is second to none and we’re delighted to have him chairing our mortgage advisory board – there’s absolutely no doubt that his strategic guidance will prove invaluable as we look to break new ground with ModaMortgages and CHL Mortgages for Intermediaries.”
Last week, Chetwood Financial hired Roger Morris as its group distribution director.
Morris will focus on CHL Mortgages for Intermediaries’ networks and mortgage clubs initially. He has worked in the property industry for more than 30 years.
